I read this is one day because I ATE IT, I'm a huge sophie lark fan and I loved Grimstone so it was a no brainer I was gonna enjoy this, this was a perfect blend of gothic thriller/mystery and spicy dark romance, Sophie has created a genre all of her own "sexy thrillers", kinda like Shirley Jackson but less melancholy and more banter 😅 this is a great read for the Halloween months (all the months right?) I hope we get another installment in this series!

This book was a trip.
It is an emotional trip.
You go from not trusting anything because you know it’s a dark romance, to falling in love with the FMC and the daughter.
This book is great, it gives murder mystery vibes.
It keeps you on your toes the whole time.
Highly recommended!

I liked this so much more than Grimstone! I am obsessed with Elena and Atlas. This was dark and eerie with a satisfying HEA.

I read Sinners Duet and the first 2 books from Brutal Birthright series so I expected something dark.

What I did not expect was the perfect blend between thriller and dark romance. As a mostly romance reader, I love an HEA, which doesn’t happen in thrillers. But I still like the mystery and suspense.

We have Elena, a 27 years old from Ukraine. She worked in a bookshop before she met Lorne, a 44 years old single dad and author, at a wife swap Sunflower Brides event. He seemed by the Prince Charming she needed to escape her current life when he proposed after a few months.

But after she gets to America, the prince turns out to be a liar and a dangerous man.

They live in a hotel, the Monarch, owned by Atlas.

There is an instant attraction between Elena and Atlas which became quickly an obsession from his part.
He also does everything he can to protect her.

I liked the way Elena cared for Lorne’s daughter Ivy, even if I would have liked her to be more protective.

The atmosphere is dark, with gothic vibes and a lot of mystery and suspense. I also liked the descriptions and the writing.

Also, the book has illustrations that help you visualize the characters.

The romance between Elena and Atlas is a forbidden slow burn with a lot of tension. There are not may spicy scenes, which I think is better in this case.

What I did not like was the way we were constantly reminded that Atlas is very big. We get it, he is tall, large, with dark hair and darker eyes. At least Elena is not petite.

There are many things I highlighted and my favorite parts are:

“That’s why I love books so much—they’re a whole entire world I can absorb at my own pace, sinking into them like a warm bath and soaking.”

“How generously Atlas feeds me is in the top five things I like about him so far.”

“In a strange way, it only made her lovelier, like how the Japanese kintsugi artists believe a crack enhances the beauty of a teacup.”

This is the 2nd book in the Grimestone series, but can be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

📘Monarch- Grimstone Book #2 can be read as a standalone

✍🏾 By Sophie Lark- read her Brutal Birthright series gave it 4/5

✨Rating: 4/5 

Format: eBook 320 pgs. 

🌍Setting: Lviv, Ukraine to Portland, Oregon (beach town Grimstone)

📅Publication 10/8/24, Read 10/1/24 

👆🏾POV: Multiple-Elena, Atlas, Lorne 

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks/Bloom Books, and Sophie Lark for this ARC!  I voluntarily give an honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤔What to Expect: Dark/Gothic, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, love triangle, single parent-H, mail order bride-h, arranged marriage

⚠️ TW: virgin h, h-drugged/passed out, child neglect, attempted SA/murder, cheating-h on H, physical/mental abuse-H on h (spits in her mouth), h has PTSD

💭 Summary: Elena needs to escape Lviv, so she signs herself up to be a mail order bride. Her and Lorne meet once and correspond via letters until he pays for her to come to America. Lorne is building a castle in the woods with hidden chambers, but Elena is a little leery. Atlas meets Elena while she waits for the new house and becomes her protector. Jealousy comes into play with Lorne and Atlas, and Elena thinks Lorne had an affair with a waitress- Olivia. 

🎭 The characters

🚺Elena Zelenska- 27, loves photography, ran a bookstore for 8 years. Joins a wife swap Sunflower Brides, parents died in car accident

🚹 Lorne Ronson-40's. published author; calls daughter stupid because she doesn't talk

Vivian-Atlas's cousin, owns a dress shop

Atlas Covett-owns Monarch hotel, attracted to Elena. He has a br0ther -Dane

Mina-Elena's cousin in Lviv

Ivy- Lorne's 9-year-old daughter, neurodivergent. Her mother Linda Lovelace is deceased. The housekeeper Mrs. Cross abuses her

🤔My Thoughts: I didn't read Grimstone but didn't feel like I missed anything. Elena learned Lorne wasn't her "Prince Charming" with all the red flags she saw. He talked bad about Ivy, was sexually aggressive towards her, and was super jealous of Atlas. The hotel and castle gave a gothic feel furthering Lorne's turn into a predator.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this book. Monarch is book two in the Grimstone series. This book is set at the Monarch hotel in Grimstone. The story is told through the point of view's of Elena and Atlas, Dane's brother from book one in the series. This book is a gothic thriller with some spice. As with the first book in the series, I did not want to put it down once I started reading. I hope this series gets another installment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Monarch - what an incredible captivating thriller and whirlwind of a book! From page one I was hooked and I could not put it down until I had finished it. That its release date is in October and during spooky season is just perfect considering the dark gothic vibes you get while reading it.

Sweet, innocent Elena moves to the US from Ukraine to be with her fiancé, Lorne, who she has only met once prior. When he was courting her over the phone, he seemed like Prince Charming and things seemed to be almost too good to be true ... and maybe they are ? It doesn't take long before Elena begins to see changes in Lorne, bad changes, and her only ally then becomes Atlas, the owner of the hotel where she and Lorne are staying while their house is under construction.

This book literally had everything - it was a thriller with mystery, tension, angst and fear. It also had romance and two very loveable main characters. I absolutely loved Elena from page one, I could relate to her fear and the uncertainty she felt of moving away by herself and start over in a new place. I also loved Atlas and his protectiveness of Elena from the very start. He always SAW Elena for who she was without hesitation.

I also want to mention the incredible art work that was featured throughout the book. Every time I read a Sophie Lark book I appreciate this so much, especially because I have a hard time visualizing characters even when they are described in detail on page. The added art work really helped me imagine the characters better, and I so wish more authors would do this in their books!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the gifted ARC to read this book before its release 🖤

This book is for you if you love these tropes:

🖤 Gothic Vibes
🖤 Forbidden Romance
🖤 Friends to Lovers
🖤 Slow Burn
🖤 Small Town

This is a hauntingly beautiful romance! From the moment Elena Zelenska was introduced, I was captivated by her. Elena’s journey from a naive bookstore nerd to a woman caught in a web of secrets is incredibly compelling. The emotional depth of her character draws you in, making you feel her fears and desires as she navigates a love that feels both magical and menacing. And, the unexpected bond between Elena and Atlas that truly stole my heart. Their chemistry is electric, sparking a tension that is as intoxicating as it is forbidden. This story beautifully explores the complexities of love, trust, and finding one’s voice in a world filled with uncertainty. I was left breathless by the romance that unfolds amidst the shadows, reminding us that sometimes the most beautiful love stories arise from the darkest places. If you’re looking for a passionate tale that weaves together love and suspense, this is a must-read that will resonate deeply with you.

Monarch pulled me into a captivating world where love and danger intertwine thrillingly. What truly struck me was how it explores the themes of autonomy and self-discovery amidst the suspense. Ultimately, it isn’t just a romantic thriller; it’s an emotional journey that left me reflecting on the complexities of love, trust, and personal strength. Lark’s ability to weave the characters’ inner lives with a gripping plot made this an unforgettable read. This story is a beautiful testament to resilience and the transformative power of love, and I can’t recommend it enough!

With its compelling characters, slow-building tension, and a plot full of twists, this book is a perfect read for those who love their romance with a heavy dose of mystery and danger. Lark has crafted a tale that’s impossible to put down, balancing darkness and desire in all the best ways.

Arc review!!
Release date : Oct,8th

This book wasn't much spicy 🌶

Anyways This was my first book from Sophie lark and safe to say, It didn't disappoint. I loved THE illustrate art SM. Elena was a sweet & kind women who came from Ukraine to America to marry Lorne. I didn't liked Lorne even a bit. He was sus 🤨

Anyways Atlas was so hot bro, he liked Elena ever since he first saw her 😋 and Ivy and Elena mother-daughter relationship was so good!!

Tbh this was the first Gothic book I ever read & the first book I ever read of Sophie Lark!! So I kinda have mix feelings about this book but everyone have different taste so!!